Creative name right?… not, Seriously I pondered about this title forever and I’ve come up with nothing, except what it is and its a Baby Activity Mat that is a Tree. Anyway, a few months ago I was contacted by Pellon and asked if I was interested in becoming a Pellon Artisan. Fancy right? So, I created a project for their website and anyone can get the tutorial for free, yay! You do have to create a log-in but once you register you can get any of the tutorials by any Pellon Artist.

And for my first project I present the Baby Activity Tree Mat.

I wanted to make something I could roll up, throw in the car and take with me for my older “babies”. I have a playmat but my kids outgrew the activities by about 3-4 months. So, I included zippers and buttons and velcro on mine, which is always a good time :)

My older “model” checked it out while my bebe was sleeping. It’s perfect for tummy time too (just keep a close eye on the younger ones with the buttons). So go check it out HERE, all of the supplies are listed as well as the directions.

Have I told you about one of my favorite BBF’s? That’s short for best blog friends mmkay. Meet Melissa from Cupcakes OMG. She is beyond awesome, one of the most stylish people I know and she’s hilarious. Melissa is a self named “snarky narcissist” and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, whats not to love? Not to mention she is an incredible cook – everything from healthy paleo recipes to decadent cupcakes. She is originally from Houston but lives in DC so when she was home for the holidays we got together to do a little craft project.

Melissa and I spent hours catching up and dining on my Pimento Cheese Sandwiches and Macaroons that she made. Then we got down to business.

All you need is gold spray paint, tape, newspaper and the glasses.

We wrapped the wine glasses with craft paper and painters tape. Can I just say how much easier it is to take pictures of a craft when you have a model.

Then we took them outside to spray them. Two lights coats worked better to prevent drips.

Wait to dry (and take pics of yourself or eat more)

Take the tape off. You could stop here and you would have some really pretty glasses, be we are over achievers. So we added a monogram with etching cream.

I used my Cameo to cut out our initials but you could use vinyl and an exacto or even the negative space from a letter sticker.

Then apply the etching cream, it can be found at most craft stores, I buy it online… its cheaper. Also it says to leave it on for like 5-10 minutes, but I keep mine on for 20-30 otherwise its too faint. And you really have to slather it on. As you know etching cream is my friend as seen HERE, HERE and HERE.

Rinse it off and we are done.

I definitely wouldn’t put these in the dishwasher. They have held up so far with a few hand washes. I am just really careful on the paint dipped part. They can really fancy up your boxed wine :/

And be sure to go check out Melissa’s Post about our crafting extravaganza HERE and tell her hi :)

I’m still catching up on all of my gift posts that I couldn’t show you because I was way to busy to blog about anything they were gifts and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise :) I found this tutorial for Journal Covers at a blog called Bloom. It’s a cute blog about gardening and quilting but I seriously fell in love with the Journal Covers she made. I actually wanted to make an exact replica but it was the night before my son’s school party and I was under prepared. So I came up with these for his teachers. They are so sweet to him and because I used to be a teacher I know about teacher gifts. I mean I know its the thought that counts and I’m not complaining but I don’t really trust baked goods from your house that traveled an hour with your 7 yr old before they got to me… just saying.

It took me no time at all to whip these two up and I think they really loved them. Head over HERE to find the full tutorial. (I’m telling you the original is much prettier and I will be making one in the future :)

In the original tutorial she mentions a certain art journal that I have never seen, but I think she is located in Australia… kinda far from Texas. So I found these at Walmart and had to just figure out the correct dimensions.

Back in December, we went to a birthday party for a friend of Finn’s (does anyone else know a ton of people with December b-days like we do?) Anyway, most of Finns friends are girls which is fun for me because on their birthdays I get an excuse to sew for a girl. And lets be honest, it is usually more fun to sew for girls.

I got her a cute little play cupcake set with a stand but I wanted to add a little something extra. So I made the easiest, most girly table runner ever. And some cloth napkins because every girls needs some :)

For the table runner I just serged a strip of blue paisley fabric and added a pink polka dot ruffle with a cupcake ribbon right down the middle. I had been saving the cupcake ribbon for the perfect thing and I think this was it.

Throw in the cloth napkins…

…and its time to play. I might go over her house and play tea party because as we speak one of my sons is running over the other one in his motorized car and they both think it’s funny… not quite the same as a girly tea party.

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Welcome to Taylor Made

Hi Yall! I'm Taylor, a craft-at-home-mom and lover of my family, sewing, painting, collecting fabric, Mexican Food & Margaritas, photography, brights colors, rearranging, decorating and painting. This blog is all about my home, things I sew and other crafting I do along the way. You can find my latest creations in the SHOP tab! Pull up a chair and stay a while :)